Day #6 Monroe LA to Meridian MS

I know this may seem impossible but today was bigger and grander than all the previous days put together. I will attempt to share with you what the riders experienced today. I fear unless you go on a Ride For the Wall you will never understand what an amazing experience it is. 

Today's Hero Board

First I was very humbled today to be in the presence of some super American Heroes!!! Jackson, Mississippi hosted lunch for us. They flew in some American dignitaries and heroes. Steve L. Munro, director of US Veterans Affairs spoke to the group. Today's tip of the day comes from Steve. 

"Son, keep your head down and your ass up. We can patch your ass up all day long"

The next speaker was Lt. Thomas R. Norris, Medal of Honor recipient for his ground rescue of two downed pilots in Vietnam on April 10, 1972. After the meeting we went to meet him. He hugged me and thank Don and I for going on the ride. He was so incredibly humble telling us that he didn't do anything anybody else wouldn't do. I pointed to the medal hanging around his neck and said, 

this says otherwise." He was so kind and very humble and while he looked frail he had a very strong voice and presence. 

Later in the day I found myself conversing with two GOLD STAR Mothers. Wow, talk about sacrificing for your country. It was so humbling being in their presence. Both beautiful women that love their country and their sons. 

        Wilma Allen - me - Dianne Layfield 

Jackson,  Mississippi has a welcoming committee like nothing I have ever seen. The police escorts were beyond spectacular!!! You get 60 - 70 motor officers riding in a block formation with their blue lights flashing it gets your attention. 

Then you throw in FIVE helicopters. According to my in the know husband flying over head was a UH1, a Cobra, and a Cessna L19 Bird dog plus a police helicopter or two. I tried to get some good shots. The problem is I took 368 shots. It's going to take some time to find the really good ones. 

What the pictures don't get across is the noise of these powerful machines, both the motorcycles and the helicopters. Then you throw in the occasional cannon fire. Oh, I forgot to mention the cannon lining the road that were fired here and there. Then there were the flag waving people, that seemed to be EVERYWHERE! 

This is a day I will never forget. 

One of the nicest most touching things I have seen were the two women in Miridian, Mississippi collecting riders dirty laundry which they will wash and return in the morning at 5 am clean. I cannot EVER remember anyone offering to wash my dirty clothes. Much less hundreds of strangers. 

Then there's the people we have met. 

Cute Deb pledges that served us water and dessert. 

Spoon & Jim that have been riding with us since the beginning.

I am going to end tonight with how we begin every morning with a little bio or story telling why we ride. 

This gentlemen here is good friends with SSG Robert F. Scherdin and SSG Richard J Lacey both been MIA since 1968. Which is why he rides. 

I experienced so much more today that I have not the energy or time to share. Please check in tomorrow.

I am posting through out the day on Facebook Page - Riding For the Wall and on Twitter @rideforthewall. 

Till tomorrow.